Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Development Coordinator – California Chapter
at Parkinson's Foundation
🏢 About Parkinson's Foundation
The Parkinson's Foundation is a leading nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people with Parkinson's disease through research, care, and community support. What sets them apart is their nationwide network of chapters and events like Moving Day, which mobilize thousands of participants to fundraise and raise awareness. Working here means directly contributing to a mission that has a tangible impact on individuals and families affected by Parkinson's.
About This Role
As the Senior Development Coordinator for the California Chapter, you will be the driving force behind peer-to-peer fundraising events, particularly Moving Day, in the Bay Area and broader Northern California region. You'll manage event logistics, recruit and support volunteers, cultivate corporate partnerships, and ensure fundraising goals are met. This role is pivotal in expanding the Foundation's reach and funding critical programs and research.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve morning calls with volunteer committee members to check in on fundraising progress, followed by outreach to local businesses for sponsorship or in-kind donations. You could spend the afternoon updating event logistics, coordinating with vendors, and analyzing registration data to strategize outreach. Some days may include traveling within Northern California to meet with donors, attend community events, or scout venues for Moving Day.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Parkinson's Foundation Is Looking For
- Proven experience in peer-to-peer fundraising or event coordination, preferably in a nonprofit setting, with a track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets.
- Strong volunteer management skills, including recruitment, training, and stewardship, with the ability to inspire and motivate diverse groups.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities, capable of engaging corporate partners, donors, and participants both in person and remotely.
- Self-motivated and goal-oriented, with the ability to work independently in a remote environment while collaborating effectively with a distributed team.
📝 Tips for Applying to Parkinson's Foundation
Highlight specific examples of peer-to-peer fundraising events you've managed, including metrics like funds raised, participant growth, and volunteer engagement.
Demonstrate your knowledge of the Bay Area market by mentioning local companies, community groups, or media outlets you could partner with for Moving Day and other events.
Emphasize your ability to work remotely and manage events across a large geographic area, showing your proficiency with virtual collaboration tools and travel logistics.
Connect your personal or professional experience with Parkinson's disease or other neurodegenerative conditions to show genuine passion for the mission.
Tailor your resume and cover letter to include keywords from the job description, such as 'Moving Day,' 'corporate development,' and 'volunteer development,' to pass applicant tracking systems.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your hands-on experience with peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, specifically walk events, and how you drove participation and revenue.', 'Your ability to recruit, manage, and retain volunteers, with examples of how you built volunteer committees or leadership teams.', "Your connection to the Parkinson's community or a compelling reason why you are passionate about the Foundation's mission.", 'Your familiarity with the Bay Area and Northern California philanthropic landscape, including potential corporate partners and community resources.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Learn about the Parkinson's Foundation's national programs and research initiatives, such as the Parkinson's Outcomes Project and the PD GENEration study, to speak knowledgeably about the organization's impact.
- → Research past Moving Day events in the Bay Area, including fundraising totals, participant numbers, and sponsors, to understand the event's scale and opportunities for growth.
- → Explore the California Chapter's local services and support groups to understand how the chapter serves the community beyond fundraising events.
- → Identify key corporate partners or foundations in the Bay Area that have supported Parkinson's or health-related causes, as potential prospects for sponsorship.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Moving Day or the Parkinson's Foundation's mission, which signals a lack of genuine interest.
- Failing to provide quantifiable results from past fundraising or event management experiences, making it hard to assess your effectiveness.
- Showing a lack of understanding of the remote work aspect, such as expecting a traditional office environment or not addressing how you stay motivated and organized remotely.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Parkinson's Foundation!